PUTRAJAYA, Oct 19 – Budget 2025 will empower the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in strengthening Malaysia’s interests and expanding its influence on international platforms as the ASEAN Chair in 2025.
In welcoming Budget 2025 presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would ensure that efforts to bolster and safeguard the nation’s strategic interests on various global issues continue.
“Wisma Putra (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) remains committed to strengthening Malaysia’s interests and expanding its role through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy on the international stage.
“This includes issues related to regional peace, sustainable development, the South China Sea issue, the Palestine-Israel conflict, food security, and climate change,” it said in a statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been allocated RM1.76 billion for 2025 under the Budget 2025, compared to the RM1.126 billion allocated for this year.
According to the ministry, Malaysia will fully utilise its chairmanship of ASEAN, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, to ensure the region’s stability, security, and prosperity are safeguarded, promote intra-ASEAN trade and investment, and improve the socio-economic standing of its people.
“In this regard, Wisma Putra will ensure that the RM560 million allocated for the ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 is used effectively to steer ASEAN’s direction and showcase Malaysia’s leadership, so that the ASEAN Community remains united, inclusive, sustainable, and thrives despite facing regional and global challenges,” the statement added.
